THE ABOLITION OF FLOGGING
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR] SIR,—The new Criminal Justice Bill proposes to abolish not only flogging, but also such things as hard labour and ticket- of-leave. Many people seem anxious to retain flogging in the penal curriculum, but nobody seems to mind whether or not hard labour and ticket-of-leave go. The criticism against the proposed abolition of flogging is invariably based on a minor premise—flogging frightens people. There are degrees of punishment just as there are degrees of crime. If people who are likely to commit crimes of violence are to be frightened, so must those who commit other crimes. For example, does a fine of five shillings deter people from riding a bicycle on the footpath? The argument for or against flogging should be based on the major premise—is flogging uncivilised and brutal? If it is, it should go; if it is not, it may as well remain. It is not the function of the law to frighten people. Criminals must pay for their crimes, but in sound modern currency.— Law Society's Hall, Chancery Lane, London, W.C. 2.
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